Method and apparatus for separating flexible, flat objects

Abstract

A method and apparatus for separating flexible flat objects from the top of a stack. The objects are lifted upward from the stack one at a time and separated therefrom by progressive adhesive action starting from the trailing end of the object in a transport direction. Once lifted by the adhesion device, the objects are transported in the transport direction by the transport device. The adhesion device may be magnetic for magnetizable articles or may be a suction device. Various techniques for moving suction and/or adhesion progressively along the object to be lifted in the transport direction are disclosed, including progressive application of suction, suction chamber arrangements for accomplishing that and the use of blown air to create a vacuum condition for lifting the sheets. The transport device might comprise a belt for moving the lifted objects. The transport of one object may be occurring while the next object is being lifted.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.